Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

Which incident with a turbine engine must be reported to the NTSB immediately?

1. Engine failure during take-off

2. Engine fire during cruise

3. Compressor blade failure that impacts the cowling

4. Loss of power in approach

The correct answer is: Compressor blade failure that impacts the cowling

In the context of turbine engine incidents that require immediate reporting to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the option regarding compressor blade failure is significant because it relates directly to a critical safety issue. When a compressor blade fails and impacts the cowling, it poses a serious risk not only to the aircraft but also to the safety of everyone on board and in the vicinity. This kind of failure can lead to catastrophic consequences since it can compromise the integrity of the engine and possibly cause a loss of control or structural failure of the aircraft. The NTSB mandates the reporting of incidents that can affect the safety and operation of the aircraft, particularly those that might compromise the effectiveness of design and safety standards. Any event leading to structural damage or potential secondary hazards, like compressor blade failures, falls into this category. Thus, such an incident must be reported immediately to ensure a thorough investigation can be conducted, contributing to the prevention of similar occurrences in the future. While engine failures during take-off, fires during cruise, and loss of power in approach are also serious incidents that should be reported, they might not involve the immediate operational integrity of the engine's structural components in the manner that compressor blade failure does. Reporting these events is critical, but the unique risks associated